Button-sewing machine



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BUTTON SEWING MACHINE.

No' 39'7'-, 588. Patented Feb; 12,1889.

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H. H. CUMMINGS.

BUTTON SEWING MACHINE.

N0. 397,588. Patent greb. 12, 13 9.v

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H. H. CUMMINGS.

BUTTON SEWING MAGHINE.

Patented Feb. 12, 1889.

UNITED STATES HENRY H. CUMMINGS, OF MALDEN, AS.

SIGNOR TO THE UNION BUTTON SEVV- ING MACHINE COMPANY, OF BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS.

BUTTON-'SEWI NG MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 397,588, dated February12, 1889.

Application filed May 16, 1887.

T0 aZZ whom, it may concern.- I

Be it known that I, HENRY I-I. CUMMINGS, of Malden, in the county ofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useiul Improvements in Button-Sewing Machines, of' which the following is aspecification. Y

My invention has relation to button-sewing machines of the classdesigned to sew on buttons having eyes or holes extending through fromside to side of the button, and for performing cross, bar, and otherstitching.

It is the object of my invention to so improve buttonsewing machinesthat the mechanism for moving the button and cloth carrier or holdershall be placed wholly beneath the bed of the machine, leaving the uppersurface of the bed free from such mechanism, so that the goods beingoperated upon can be manipulated unhindered by the means for shiftingthe button carrier, usually arranged above the bed-plate.

It is also the object of my invention to provide means whereby thebutton-carrier may be reciprocated bodily in one direction and in likemanner reciprocated in a direction at right angles to that firstmentioned.

It is also the object of my invention to provide a construction wherebyinterchangeable pattern-disks may be employed inthe same machine for thepurpose of producing stitching of varying character or design.

It is also the object of my invention to produce other improvementshaving as their purpose the simplification of an organized button-sewingmachine, as also the increasing of the capacity of such machine.

I will now proceed to describe my improvements, so that others skilledin the art to which they pertain and with which they are connected maybe able to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereonforming a part of this specification, and in which the same lettersindicate the same parts wherever they occur.

Of the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improvedbutton-sewing machine, parts being shown in section and other partsbeing pictured as broken away. Fig. 2

Serial No. 238,363. (No model.)

is a bottom plan view of the machine, portions being shown as brokenaway. 3is a front end elevation of the machine, partly in section, andparts being shown as broken away. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line0% 'm, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow 1. Figs. 5, 6, and7 are diagrams representing different positions of the buttoncarrier onthe needle-plate, indicating the manner in which a button may be movedto different positions in order to perform the stitching designed to beaccomplished by my invention. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of theworm-wheel and its attached pin, hub, or disk, comprising the meanswhereby the latch of the shipping-rod may be tripped in order to permitthe stop-motion mechanism to operate to stop the machine. Fig. 9 is abottom plan view of the pattern-disks adapted to be attach ed to theworm-wheel to effect the movement of the button holder or carrier, so asto sew 011 a four-eyed button with a parallel barstitch, as representedin Fig. 9 Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of the-parts shown in Fig. 9,the pattern-disks being formed so as to sew on a four-eyed button with across-stitch, as represented in Fig. 10 Fig. 11 is a bottom plan viewofthe parts shown in Fig. 9, the pattern-disks being formed to sew on atwoeyed button, as represented in Fig. 11*. Fig. 12 is a top plan viewof the parts shown in Fig. 9, the pattern-disks being constructed toeifect the barring of a seam, as represented inFig. 12. Fig. 13 is asectional view taken on the line 10 w, Fig. 10. Fig. lat is a frontview, part of the bed being shown as broken out; and Fig. 15 is a planview of the mechanism for moving and controlling the move ments of thesliding rock-shaft connected with the button-carrier.

In the drawings, A represents the bed of the machine; B, the overhangingarm; C, the main shaft; D, the needle-shaft; E, the link or pitmanconnecting the main shaft with the needle-shaft, and F the reciprocatingneedlebar. These parts maybe the same as in button-sewing machines ofcom mon construction, and other parts necessary to properly equip asewing-machine, having nothing to'do with my invention, and known to allacquainted end of an arm, (1 and adapted to be pressed 1 upon thebutton-holder support a", consisting of a strip of spring-steel orsimilar metal secured at its outer end to the return bent end i a" ofarm a. The construction of these parts is such that the button may beplaced and I held by the button-holder, and the cloth or material uponwhich the button is to be, sewed is held between the button-holder a andbutton -holder support;- a.

\Vhen bar or other stitching is to be done, the cloth or other materialis held in the button-carrier without, of course, placing a button inthe button-holder.

1) represents a presser rod or bar extending between the free end of aspring, I), secured to the overhanging arm B and the buttonholder a tokeep the latter pressed down on the support a when the machine is beingoperated. tion o of the button-holder is pivoted to a block, W, as at c,rigidly secured to a shaft, (1, having suitable bearings in the bed orbrackets attached to the bed of the machine. Said shaft (Z is adapted tobe both rocked and moved longitudinally in its bearings, so that thebutton-carrier may be bodily moved longitudinally-that is, in thedirection of the arrow 2-and 1aterallythat is, in the direction of thearrow 3on the bed of the machine, by which movements I effect theseveral results illustrated in Figs. 9, 10, 11., and 12, andmodifications thereof, and the means for The end of the return bentporhold finger H2 on the rear end of lever h in contact with theperiphery of pattern-disk g, and also to hold the pin or finger 7L5,projecting forward from the outer end of the lever h, against the(lownwardly-extending arm he of a small angular or bell-crank leverpivoted at 71 to the bed of the machine, the laterally-extending arm 71of said lever being arranged to bear on the lower end of a stop-screw,71 as most clearly portrayed in Figs. 1 and 14, which stop-pin h" andbell-crank lever 7L limit the movement of rod (Z in the direction ofarrow 1, Fig. 2. A spiral spring, before referred to, surrounds shaft (Zand bears at one end against a yoke-block, 71', secured to said shaft,and at the other end against any stationary part of the bed or frame,and operates with a tendency to move said shaft d j in the direction ofthe arrows l and +1, Figsl effecting the described movements of shaft (1f and through it the lmtton-carrier a will next be described.

6 represents a worm-gear mounted and Q bed of the machine, saidworm-gear being engaged and rotated by a worm, 6 on shaft C. Secured inany suitable manner to (preferably) the under side of worm-gear e aretwo pattern disks or wheels, f g. Iterm these devices pattern-disks forthe reason that they are disks with peripheries of differenteonformation or pattern, said patterns governing the movements of theluitton-carrier and determining the nature or character of the workorstitch.

h indicates a lever, pivoted at h to any stationary part of the machine,and provided on its inner end with an adjustable finger, 72*, arrangedto bear against the periphery of pattern-disk g. At its opposite orforward end lever h is provided with a bowl or roller, 71?, arranged tobear against the cross arm or bar 1" on the lower end of arm i ofbell-crank lever 12, secured to the rear end of shaft (1. A spring, j,surrounding shaft (Z, and to be presently described, operates to presssaid shaft and its connected crank-lever n in the direction of arrow 1,Fig. 2, and as a result serves to and 2, as before mentioned. \Vith thisconstruction and arrangement of parts it will be seen that aspattern-wheel g is rotated its teeth g, having reference to Fig. 5),coming in contact with the end of; finger 71 resting against theperiphery of said patternwheel, will rock lever 71 on its pivot andfulcrum h, and the forward end of the latter device, acting on cross armor bar L on the lower end of arm 6 of bell-crank lever .n, secured toshaft (7, will move said shaft and the lmtton-carrier attached thereto,as aforesaid, in a direction opposite to the flight of arrows .l and 4,Figs. 1 and 2, springj effecting a movement of said parts in theopposite direction, when finger 71 passes a tooth, g, and drops into anotch or on a depressed part, g of said wheel g. The two movements justdescribed of shaft (Z and button-carrier a are those indicated by thedouble headed arrows 3 in Figs. 5 (i, and 7.

Z represents a .lever pivoted at Z to any stationary portion of the bedand provided at its rearward end with an adjustable finger,

. I similar to finger 72 0f lever h, which finger Z is arranged to bearagainst the periphery of pattern-disk f. At its forward end lever Z isprovided with a pin, 1 extending upward into a horizontally-arrangedstud, I, in the fork or round ed groove in the lower end of yoke-block7. By connecting lever l with shaft (1 in the manner described saidshaft may be rocked in its bearings through the medium of lever landyoke-block 7; when the former is oscillated on its pivot Z withoutinterfering with the longitudinal movements of said shaft, as before.explained, and the oscillating movement of said lever [is secured by thecontact of finger Z with the periphery of patternwheel f, the raisedsurfaces on said patternwheel moving the forward end of lever lin thedirection of the arrow 5, Fig. 2, moving the button-carrier in theopposite direction on the bed or needle plate, and a spring, h connectedat one end to the inner end of an arm or pin, 2, secured to lever Z andat the other end to a stationary part of the machine, mov-.

ing said lever, button-carrier, and intermediate devices in the oppositedirection when finger Z is brought to position-Where it can fall on adepressed surface of the periphery of pattern-disk f. Shaft cl isprovided. at its rear end, as stated, with a small bell-crank lever, 01,one arm, n, of which extends down behind lever Z, and the other, nextends outward under the'lower end of a stop-screw, 02 and limitsprimarily the rocking of the shaft d, thereby controlling the movementof the button-carrier, as will be understood without furtherdescription.

WVitht-he explanation thus-far givenit will be seen that if the machinewere equipped with pattern-wheels f and g of theform shown in Fig. 9,with the end of finger Z on the raised part of the periphery ofpattern-disk f at the point f and finger 72. on the periphery ofpatterndisk g at a point substantially opposite the point f, with afour-eyed button in the buttoncarrier and the latter in the rearwardposition, as represented in Fig. 6, and the machine set in motion,sewing would be accomplished alternately through the eyes 9 9 of thebutton shown in Fig. 9, the button-carrier being re.- ciprocated in thedirection of the doubleheaded arrow 3, so as to properly present saideyes of the but-ton to the needle by means of the longitudinal movementsof rod (7, accomplished by spring j and the contact of finger 71/2 oflever h with the teeth or projections g of pattern disk g, and theoperation would he proceeded with in this manner until finger 1* reachedthe point f and dropped on the depressed surface of the periphery ofpatterndiskf, when spring It would operate lever l to shift thebutton-carrier from the position in which it is represented in Fig. 6 tothat pictured in Fig. 7, when sewing will take place through the holes 88 of the button shown in Fig. 9 until said finger Z arrives at the pointf, when the machine will be stopped, in a manner to be presentlyexplained.

In sewing on a four-eyed button with a crossstitch, as represented inFig. 10*, patterndisks f g of the form represented in Fig. 9 will beremoved and replaced with patterndisks of the form pictured in Fig. 10.In this case finger Z riding over the teeth f (see Fig. 13,) formed onthe periphery of pattern-disk f, will operate to reciprocate thebutton-carrier in the direction indicated by the doubleheaded arrows 2in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, cansing the needle to stitch through the eyes 7 '7of the button represented in Fig. 10, the finger 71 riding meanwhileupon the plain por- 3 tion of the periphery of disk g until said fingerZ at the point f drops on the lower plain part ofthe periphery ofpattern-disk f, when finger 72 coming in contact with the teeth g on theperiphery of disk g, will reciprocate the button-carrier in thedirection of the double-headed arrows 3 and effect stitching through theeyes 6 6' of the button shown in Fig. 10.

In Fig-11 the periphery of the pattern-disk f is shown to be plainthroughout, so-as not tocause finger l to efiect any movement of thebutton-carrier in the direction of the arrows 2 while finger h is beingbrought into contact alternately with the raised and depressed surfacesof the periphery of patterndisk g, and so effect the movement of the button-carrier laterally or in the direction of the arrows 3, and so effectsewing through the eyes of the two-holed button shown in Fig. l l.

The pattern-disks f 9 (shown in Fig. 12) are designed to effect thebarring of a seam, as at the corner of apocket, and as represented inFig. 12*. In this case, supposing finger Z to be resting on the plainsurface of disk f at the point fflwith finger h on the periphery of diskg at the point g and said disks to be rotated in the direction of thearrow, the teeth g 9 coming in contact with finger h will reciprocatethe button-carrier (now holding the cloth or garment) laterally, takingtwo or three stitches from thepoint 5 to the point 5', as represented inFig. 12, when the said finger 7L will ride up the inclined surface g ofpattern-disk g on the raised but gradually-descending periphery g ofsaid disk, the cloth being held so that the needle shall have taken itslast stitch at the point 5 of the bar represented in Fig. 1 2 whenfinger Z coming in contact alternately with the raised and depressedsurfaces 'of'the periphery of the disk f, will reciprocate thebutton-carrier in the direction of the doubleheaded arrows 2, and soeffect a stitching across the bar-stitches between the points 5 '5, thefinger Z riding down the graduallydescending periphery of thepattern-disk g,

resulting in feeding the cloth along, so as to effect the stitchingacross the bar from one end to the other, as described. In this way I amenabled to perform the different stitching for the sewing 011 of buttonsof different structural character or of the same structural nature witha different stitch, or bar a seam or corner of a pocket, & c.,'the formof the stitch depending on the form of the pattern-disks employed, whichmay be readily removed from and replaced on the journalstud ofworm-wheel e.

I have explained that the machine is stopped after a button has beensewed on or other work accomplished, as hereinbefore explained, and thisresult is performed auto matically in a manner next to be explained.

The belt-receiving pulley 0 is adapted to run loose on the main shaft 0,and isprovided with a laterally-projecting stud, 0, adapted in therotation of the pulley to engage a dog, p,'pivoted on a collar, 19,secured to the main shaft, and heldpressed outwardly in its normalposition, as represented inFigs. 1 and 2,

so as to be engaged by said pin 0', by a spring, 19 r q indicates anelbow-lever pivoted at q to the bedof the machine, and adapted to bemoved on its pivot or fulcrum, so as to bring its ar'nrq within thepathof travel of dog' 1) and be also moved out of said path. .When

moved into the path of travel of dog 1), the latter is pressed inwardagainst the stress of its spring 19 so as to allow pin 0' of pulley 0 topass without effecting a rotation of the main shaft; but when the dog 13is free, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, pin 0 will engage therewith in theratatitm of pulley o, and so operate the machine.

late the length of the stitch taken in all directions, the contour ofthe surfaces of the pattern-disks operating also with the same result.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the form and arrangement ofparts constituting my improvements within the province of i mechanicalskill without departing from the The free end of the main arm ofelbow-lever q is pivoted, as at I", ma shipping-rod, r, 1

suitably supported in thebed of the machine,

so as to be moved longitudinally in its bearings, and normally pressedoutwardly in the direction of arrow (.1 by means of a spring, s, bearingthereagainst. (See Fig. 2.)

Shipping-rod 2' has a block, f, secured there to toward its rear end,which block is provided with a lateral extension, 1"", adapted to becaughtbehind an offset (not shown) of a latch-finger, f, pivoted to thebed of the machine, and connected by means of a crosspiece, t, Fig. l,with latch-tripping lex'er u,

also pivoted to the bed of the machine, as at.

u. The inner end of lever 11 or an adjustable finger, Q0 thereon extendsover wormwheel c, which is provided with a hub or disk, 1*, having holesr, adapted to receive a tripping-pin, r so positioned as that in therota-- tion of said worm-wheel to be brought into contact with the.inner end of lever 71 or its attached adjustable finger 11*, rock saidlever on its fulcrum a, and through the medium of cross-piece 1 rocklatch-finger t on its pivot against a spring (not shown) which holds itin its normal position, and so permit shipping-rod r to be moved byspring .9 and move elbow-lever q to stop the machine, as beforedescribed. This stop-motion mechanism constitutes no part of my presentinvention, and will therefore not be specifically claimed herein, as anyother known or suitable stop-motion mechanism might be employed that isor would be capable of being tripped by pin 1: in the rotation ofworm-gear e and its hub or disk r.

By providing numerous holes, 1", in disk or hub L an arrangement is madewhereby the machine may be stopped at anypoint in the rotation of wheel0, and by providing two or more pins, 1- the machine may be stopped twoor more times to each rotation of said wheel.

The machine shown maybe supposed to be of the class known asrevolving-hook machines, the sewing mechanism of which is so well knownas not to require description -or illustration, though it is obviousthat a machine equipped with different sewing mechanism may be employedin connection with my improvements, which have alone to do with thebutton-carrier and the means for shifting or moving it in order topresent a button or material, or both, held thereby so as to present thesame in proper position relatively to the needle.

The set or stop screws a 7L9 operate in a manner which will be wellunderstood to regu:

nature or spiritof the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l. A sewing-machinebed and a sewing mechanism, combined with a button-carrier constructedand arranged to reciprocate on the bed, a shaft, (7, and its bearingsbeneath the bed, said shaft being longitudinally movable in its bearingsand connected with the button-carrier through an openingin the bed, arotary pattern disk or device, and a pivoted lever, 71, arranged to beactuated by said pattern device and connected with said shaft, wherebythe latter may be operated and the lmtton-carricr moved in line with theaxis of the shaft, substantially as hereinbefore set forth. 1

2. A sewing-machine bed and a sewing mechanism, combined with abutton-carrier constructed and arranged to reciprocate on the bed, arock-shaft, (7, beneath the bed and connected with the lmtton-carrierthrough an opening in the bed, a rotary pattern disk or device, and apivoted lever, 1, arranged to be actuated by said pattern device andconnected with said rock-shaft, whereby the rockshaft may be operatedand the button-carrier moved at right angles to the axis of therock-shaft, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

A sewing mechanism, combined with a button carrier, a rock-shaft and itsbearings, said rock-shaft being longitudinally movable in its bearingsand connected with the button carrier, two rotary pattern disks ordevices, and two pivoted levers arranged to be actuated by said pat-terndevice andconnected with said rock-shaft, substantially as hereinbeforeset forth.

-t. A sewing mechanism, combinet'l with a button-carrier, a rock-shaftand its bearings, said rock-shaft being longitudinally movable in itsbearings and connected with the button-carrier, a rotary shaft, a wormthereon, a

worm -gear actuated by said worm, interchangeable pattern-disksconnected with said worm-gear, levers intermediate of said pattern-disksand longitndinally-movable rockshaft and actuated by said disks, saidlevers being connected wit-h said shaft, whereby said shaft may berocked and moved longitudinally in one direction, and springs to movesaid shaft in the opposite direction, substantially as hereinbefore setforth.,,

5. The bed of a button-sewing machine and a sewin g mechanism, combinedwith a buttoncarrier located upon or above the bed, a rockshaft and itsbearings located below the bed, said rock-shaft being longitudinallymovable in its bearings, and connections between the In testimonywhereoflhave signed myname 1o rook-shaft and button-carrier, whereby theto this specification, in the presence of two bed of the machine may beleft free of means subscribing Witnesses, this 9th day of May, foroperating the button-carrier, and byrock- A. D. 1887.

ing said shaft and moving it longitudinally IT r T in its bearings thebutton-carrier may be HEX R1 CUMMIL moved to properly present the buttonto the Vitnesses: needle of the sewing mechanism, substan- O. F. BROWN,tially as hereinbefoi'e set forth. ARTHUR XV. CROSSLEY.

